Chip maneuvers, airline woes, unthinkable reruns

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Chipmakers will build factories in the US. Amid tensions between Beijing and Washington, Intel said it’s in talks with the US defense department about boosting semiconductor manufacturing in America. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing said it’s evaluating sites but hasn’t made a decision yet.

China partially locked down a city bordering North Korea. On Saturday authorities reported a rash of new coronavirus cases in Shulan and raised the infection risk level to high. China recently offered North Korea, which still claims no cases, help with fighting the disease.

Coronavirus cases jumped in South Korea. On Saturday Seoul’s mayor ordered more than 2,100 bars and nightclubs closed, just days after the national government eased social-distancing restrictions. More than 50 cases were linked to one man’s nightlife escapades.

Boris Johnson shared a plan for ending England’s lockdown. On Sunday the UK prime minister laid out three steps. For starters, as of today millions can go back to work and unlimited exercise outdoors is allowed. Oh, and “Stay at home” has been changed to “Stay alert.”

Another airline filed for bankruptcy. This time it’s Avianca, the second-biggest airline in Latin America. If it doesn’t emerge from the proceedings, it could become the first major airline to go under because of the coronavirus crisis.


What to watch for this week


Charting the corona boost for digital payment firms 

Digital payments were catching on even before the coronavirus pandemic. Now these transactions are getting turbocharged by the crisis (✦ Quartz member exclusive), and the disruption could lead to lasting changes in how people spend. PayPal had its largest single day of transactions ever on May 1, beating out heavy shopping days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Recently share prices of payment companies like PayPal, Square, and Adyen have blown the broader equity market away.

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Coronavirus is adding an unexpected urgency to how we date. What does seeking love look like in extraordinary times? One PhD researcher is taking a look.

What if virtual dating just…stays around forever? Covid-19 has forced a pivot to video for many singles worldwide. Watch our video to learn what, exactly, the world of virtual dating looks like—and why it might outlast the pandemic.

Dating isn’t the only experience being disrupted by coronavirus. So is the entire industry of meetings, conferences, and events. Read more in this week’s field guide on the virtual conference reboot.


We’re obsessed with the Kaaba

The cube stands alone. Photos of an empty Times Square may seem eerie, but it’s nothing compared to the strange emptiness of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, where millions of Muslims arrive each year to complete a pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest site. Almost every inch of the structure at the center of it all has either a storied history or a symbolic significance. Sacred to Muslims, fascinating to all, the Kaaba has a contentious, immensely rich history written into the details. The Quartz Daily Obsession will take you on the journey.


Surprising discoveries

Frog bread is taking over the internet. With brains thoroughly warped by quarantine, Twitter and TikTok users are showing off their misshapen amphibian loaves.

The world’s longest-running cartoon went into reruns. Japan’s Sazae-san has aired every Sunday since 1969, but coronavirus has disrupted the production of new episodes.

Young men break lockdown rules twice as much as young women. A UK study found that half of men aged 19-24 had met friends or family they didn’t live with, compared with 25% of women.

Coronavirus turned the US into a net exporter of pyrotechnics. The pandemic has reversed global trade patterns in everything from toilet paper to antibiotics.

Twitch built a tool to connect forlorn streamers with fans. Some gamers stream into the void for years before attracting an audience; you can discover the next big name with Twitch Roulette.


Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, frog bread, and undiscovered Twitch channels to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Steve Mollman and Nicolás Rivero.